Written question asked by Lord Herbert of South Downs (Conservative) on Monday, 15 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2008. It was answered by Lord Khan of Tooting (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2008 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Fire Services: Industrial Health and Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she plans to issue the guidance for independent qualified medical practitioners providing an opinion on permanent disability, fitness for regular work, qualifying injury and degree of disability document agreed with the Fire Brigades Union in June 2008.

Answer: The guidance is one element of a package which, earlier this year, the group reviewing ill health retirement arrangements in the Firefighters' Pension Scheme agreed should be issued to help employers and medical practitioners carry out their duties under the scheme. As issues relating to the interpretation of the scheme are currently the subject of an appeal, we do not propose to issue the guidance until the judgment of the Court of Appeal is available and I am satisfied that the guidance is consistent with it.

Secondary information